Planning a trip to Mallorca
It’s almost a year since I visited Mallorca. I was extremely late to the party on this one. Apart from a trip to Menorca in my teenage years, the Balearics remained untouched on my travel list until last year when I finally booked myself a trip to Mallorca and Formentera.
The reason this guide has taken so long to write is because… I wasn’t blown away by Mallorca. I was actually somewhat disappointed; but hang fire for a moment. If you make it to the end of this travel guide you may change your mind with me.
Planning a trip to Spain? You’re in the right place! Welcome to Travel Planning and Itinerary design by Candy. Hola! I’m an independent travel advisor living in Portugal (since 2016). I help people plan their dream trip to Portugal, Spain and Italy. You’re currently reading a post from my collection of travel guides. I also offer personal travel consultation and a bespoke itinerary service.
Why I didn’t love Mallorca first time
One word – overdeveloped.
And look, I’m not naive here. Its 2026 and tourism has been negatively (and positively) affecting islands like Mallorca for years and years but the type of overdevelopment here is my least favourite. It has prioritised money at the expense of natural beauty, a little bit like Algarve in Portugal did in the 1970s-1990s.
And it’s everywhere, even the smallest of coves appear to have great lumps of white concrete growing out of them. I believe there is a way you can welcome tourism, make money from it and support the local infrastructure and natural beauty while you do it but I found little evidence of that in much of Mallorca.
That isn’t to say natural beauty and areas of undiscovered beauty don’t exist. They do, but they are harder to reach, which brings me to the next point.
Unless you have a boat it is almost impossible to find an undeveloped stretch of coast.
Traffic is a royal pain in the ar$e as soon as you pull off that main motorway running from Palma to Pollença. Why? Too many cars and buses for narrow windy roads. Why? We (me included) all want to visit these small quaint towns and tiny coves.
Mallorca gives the illusion or rather, it sells itself as a small island, but the reality is very different. Mallorca is the largest of the Balearics and visiting all the different corners of the island is not as easy as the tourism board makes out. It is annoyingly difficult and time consuming to get around, especially if you want to explore the towns on the west side or the beaches in the south east. Even in the off-season (I visited in April) the traffic and parking is horrific.
Anyway, I digress.
A Caveat
I have not spent enough time on the island to warrant claiming anything with great confidence, It wouldn’t be fair to do so. Take what I say as one opinion of many; as something to consider as a first-time visitor but not base your entire trip on.
Giving Mallorca another chance
I’ve done some seriously deep research for this island, not only for my trip but for my travel planning clients too. I’m currently planning a week-long trip for a client who is visiting the island this year and it forced me to take another look at the island. Through my extra research for this trip, I have started to develop more of an appreciation for Mallorca and I’m willing to give it another chance. Now I look back through my photos and I remember that there are special moments and experiences to be found amongst its downfalls.
Travel & Photography by Candy : What you see is real. No images in any of my travel guides are AI. All photos in this travel guide are taken by me. I spend a huge amount of time photographing, editing and uploading all the photos on this website. Please do not reuse them without credit and a backlink to this page. Thank you.
Apart from the very obvious over-development, Mallorca does have pockets of immense beauty and even though they are busy, it’s hard not to fall a little bit in love, especially with the western villages and gorgeous blue ocean.
Why you should give Mallorca a chance
- For Natural Beauty
- For a Sporty Holiday
- For a Boat Trip
- For Catalan Culture, Language & Food (in some areas)
- For Beach Relaxation (if you stay in one place)
What I can help with is recommendations because I have spent months researching the Balearics including Mallorca for my own travel and for many others so I do know what’s out there to enjoy.
MALLORCA TRAVEL PLANNING MAP COMING SOON…
How to make the most of Mallorca
There are a few ways to channel the special experiences and reduce the stress when visiting Mallorca.
- Spend longer. There are ways to make Mallorca more enjoyable and the main one is to spend longer here. Dedicating 10 days or 2 weeks to the island gives you the chance to visit the different corners. If you don’t have the luxury of time, research well and pick one or two areas to visit and stay, no more.
- Don’t try and do it all. I offer this tip on all my guides and it’s the one that I fail at myself so many times. Reduce the number of places, increase the quality of the experience.
- Wake up and go early. Early birds are rewarded in the Balearics. Get out and about by 9am and find parking easier, stroll beaches with less people and enjoy driving the beautiful, winding roads alone. The earlier the better.
- Save parking locations before you travel. There is nothing more stressful than driving around a tiny, busy village looking for parking. Have several parking locations saved on GoogleMaps for each location before you visit and save yourself the stress and hassle. Keep coins on you for parking meters. Parking locations can be found on my Mallorca trip planning map.
- Book restaurants in advance. There are some stunning restaurant choices in Mallorca and while you will never be stuck for a place to eat around Palma the other towns and beach locations can and do get fully booked in advance. This is particularly true for Valledemossa, Deia and Soller.
- “Hidden gems” do exist, they just look different to what you pictured. The words Hidden gems have become associated with “instagram-worthy” photos and it drives me insane. Hidden gems or what I like to call the “lesser-known local spots” are not about being pretty or photographer-friendly (even though some of them are) they are local sites or experiences that capture the culture of the place you are visiting. They are places unspoilt by modern tourism. In Mallorca this looks like the eastern interior where you can drive through very local towns that despite not being particularly picturesque, give you the opportunity to sample local culture and cuisine in small restaurants without the crowds. Dedicate some of your time to discovering these places. Share your well-earned holiday money in locations a little further from the well-trodden trail.
- Combine it with a trip to Formentera. Formentera is the opposite of Mallorca. It is laid back & wild (not in a party sense); its the perfect antidote to a week of scrambling to see everything Mallorca has to offer. I fell in love instantly.
Activities and Experiences in Mallorca
Mallorca is a natural playground so outdoor adventures and activities are king. One thing is true, no matter how long you spend, you definitely won’t be bored on the island of Mallorca.
Tip: Palma has some fun experiences like sandal making and pottery class that are great for a rainy day if you’e visiting in the off-season.
Cycling Holidays in Mallorca
There is one scenario where I am a huge advocate for Mallorca, and that’s for a cycling holiday. I knew that the island was popular for cycling and triathlon but I had no idea just how much the island had welcomed bikes until I visited. Cycling tours and training camps are everywhere and the roads are full of bikes. This can be frustrating for drivers in some cases, for example, when driving up the infamous Ma-2210 but it was really refreshing to see bicycles being treated with respect on the roads. I actually appreciated the chance to slow down in the car and soak up the views while ascending with the bikes. I’m obviously no expert after one trip but the impression I had was that cyclists are mostly treated as equals on the roads. If you are considering a cycling holiday or triathlon camp, Mallorca is spectacular for it.
Hiking in Mallorca
The other reason I’m all for Mallorca is the breathtaking 150km hiking route GR221, aka the “dry stone route”. I’ve ventured on small stretches of the route but not completed any of it. It remains my biggest reason to return to Mallorca. Since I haven’t completed the trail myself, I’m not the one to tell you how to do it. My research has uncovered a few great resources :
- Camins de Pedra
- Lilo from Tails of a Trail has written a personal account which seems really useful
GR221 is in my near future, so I’ll be sure to update once I’ve enjoyed the trail to its full capacity.
Swimming in Mallorca
Swimming is the one activity I did indulge in during my time on the island and wow. Some of the coves I swam in during this trip remain core memories and account for some of my most favourite swims in southern Europe.
Although nothing tops La Maddalena in Sardinia for me.
Best Beaches in Mallorca
- Cala Formentor
- Caló des Màrmols
- Calo des Moro
- More on The Mallorca trip planning map
Accessible Beaches in Mallorca
The Handiscover website has a detailed list and find more options below. Plan in advance during busy seasons.
- Cala Bona. Includes ramps, parking, adaptive showers and assisted bathing)
- Playa de Muro. Has several wooden walkways and amphibious beach chairs.
- Es Trenc
- Palmanova
- Playa de Palma
- Magaluf
Water Activities and Boat Rental
If you’re spending time in Mallorca, it’s definitely worth jumping on a boat tour.
- Private sailing tour (South Mallorca)
- Palma: Sunset Boat Tour
- More water activities & experiences on the Mallorca trip planning map
Getting Around Mallorca
Unless you are staying put in Palma, a car is necessary in Mallorca. As much as I complain about the traffic from late morning onwards, visiting the island without the car cannot give you the full experience.
If you have the budget, working with a private driver for the western towns would be a relaxing way to do it.
If you want to rent a car I recommend using the broker Zest or Discover. I have personal experience using both. I have been using Zest for years in Portugal and Spain and they are my go-to. I recently started using Discover in Italy and had a positive experience.
Important: Avoid the car rental company Centauro. I had a very negative experience with them in Palma. They have several scams running (you only have to look at reviews on Google to see).
Mallorca Where to Stay
As I’ve mentioned – it’s a big island so consider where you want to spend most of your time when choosing accommodation. If you plan on visiting many locations on the island, consider splitting your time across two bases. For example Palma and Pollença would be a good mix. As always I use BookingCom for accommodation because it has the widest range and best value. If you have the time it is also worth reaching out to accommodation directly and they can sometime offer a different rate. However resoinse rate is not always quick.
Palma
Palma is an obvious choice for many. The pro is that it is close to the airport and gives a mix of bustling city life and nearby beaches coast.
- Posada Terra Santa Boutique hotel
- Es Princep hotel & spa
- more on the Mallorca Trip Planning Map
When booking accommodation for Palma it is worth booking in advance. Make the most of the free cancellation.
Pollença
North coast, slightly quieter and easier to reach the more remote areas.
- El Vicenç de la Mar Hotel overlooking the beach, kids over 12 only
- Can Pontica Holiday cottage for two adults, 1 child
- more on my Mallorca Trip Planning Map
Valledemossa/ Deia
If you don’t mind not being right on the coast or you’re not here for the beaches, then the pretty western towns could be a good match for you.
- Ca’s Garriguer Rural hotel for quiet escape, close to Valledemossa
- Macarena’s house cottage in Valledemossa
- Sa Pedrissa Romantic hotel with stunning ocean views Deia
- more on my Mallorca Trip Planning Map
Mallorca where to eat
Another thing the Balearic island of Mallorca does well is food. You certainly won’t go hungry. I curated a broad but considered selection of the best restaurants on the Mallorca Trip Planning Map. Whether you are looking for fancy, high-end delights in Palma, rustic country restaurants or sea views while you sip you’ll find the best restaurant, cafe and bar suggestions on The Mallorca Travel map. You’ll also find a foodie treasure hunt and list of traditional foods you have to try.
MALLORCA TRAVEL MAP COMING SOON
Why are you charging for this map?
Until recently I was offering all of my hours (and hours and hours) of research, planning and experience for free on this very website. You don’t have to look far to see the wealth of information on Travel in South Europe that has been shared here over the years (that is still available to help you plan your trip for free). Sadly in the last year much of my own research and personal experiences have been cannibalised by ChatGPT and other AI; taking literally all of my information and displaying it on those platforms without acknowledging this site or sending a click my way. This has forced me to find other ways to share this information while respecting the time it takes for the work I do. AI are not able to take information from my trip planning maps which allows me to protect some of my work. If you enjoy curated travel and unique suggestions, the trip planning maps will provide you with real value. For the cost of a coffee or pizza you’ll have access to hundreds of genuine and authentic experiences that you can’t find by the click of a button. If you have found my website and travel guides useful planing your trip but don’t need a personal travel planner, please consider purchasing a trip planning map. Thank you. Obrigada. Gracias. Grazie.
Personal Trip Planning in Mallorca & The Balearics
If you’re planning a trip to Mallorca or the Balearics have you considered working with an independent travel advisor rather than a travel agent or hashing it out by yourself? I’ve been living in southern Europe for 10 years and have planned trips for hundred of people visiting Spain, Portugal and Italy (including Mallorca) and I’d love to show you what is possible with a personalised itinerary.
Human Travel Planning. No AI here.
What you see & read here is REAL. I don’t use ChatGP or other AI to write my travel guides or design itineraries. Travel is a human experience that requires all of the senses. It is impossible for AI to replicate that. Working with a human travel planner means working with someone who understands that travel is a highly unique and personal experience, not a ‘copy and paste’ job. All travel guides have been written by me from my own personal experiences. All the photos on this website are taken myself during my own travel. Nothing has been created using AI so you can trust what you are seeing actually exists.
So, there you have it. My quick guide to Mallorca. Despite my cynicism after my first trip I feel ready to give the island some more of my time and I hope I can encourage you to do the same because the truth is, Mallorca is an island that deserves it.
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